After the Civil War to before World War II, a roofing style called “embossed tin shingles” evolved. Sometimes called stamped shingles, many owners of residences with this unique roofing style want to keep them.

My crew and I specialize in preserving antique tin shingles.

Embossed tin shingles are a gem from our architectural past. If you are fortunate to own a residence built after the Civil War and before the depression, your roof may exhibit designs on shingles, such as shown on this webpage.

In 1902, Cortright Metal Roofing, located in Philadelphia and Chicago, advertised the benefits of stamped shingles as follows: “…designed to avoid the heaviness, the expense and fragility of slate roofs; to avoid the lack of wearing qualities in the wood shingle, and provide a substitute for the ‘buckling’, rattling and expensive economy of the tin roof and to increase the beauty of a roof.”

Reasons for their popularity

• The shingles weighed less than slate: Slate roofs suggested prestige and wealth, but structures had to be strong to hold them.
• With the lighter pieces of metal, stamped in order to strengthen the metal, embossed tin shingles positioned themselves as an alternative to slates 
• Metal roofing, such as these shingles, protected homes against fires: After the Civil War, in many towns, there was a movement to replace the wooden shakes. Home insurance usually cost less with a metal roof. 
• To compete with the standing seam tin roofing, the embossed tin shingle manufacturers appealed to the desire to be known as the wealthy family in the town.
• An expanse of beautifully design shingles dominated the impact of these fortunate homes, hopefully over shadowing the more common roofing in the area. And the “yuppies” of that period listened.

 What happen to this roofing style? 

During the first 20 years or so, numerous unique designs appeared. This photos on this project illustrate a flamboyant style.
By the turn of the century, the Victorian-influenced homeowners settled on a few choices, such as shingle on this project.
One of the leading manufacturers discontinued seven styles, leaving only two available for customers to choose from.
By the 1930s, the less expensive asphalt shingles and the higher cost of tradespeople impacted the installation of new embossed tin shingles. With World War II anticipated, all metal was diverted to the war effort. A roofing era ended.

Fortunately, for those who value our past heritage, some of these roofs still exist, often in good condition. If a finish is maintained on the shingles, the metal will be protected. For maintenance and care of embossed tin shingles, please keep us in mind.